Auxiliary spring or shock absorber for vehicles, particularly motor vehicles



' T. H. RQDDA ET AL AUXILIARY SPRING 0R SHOCK ABSORBER FOR VEHICLES, PARTICULARLY MOTOR VEHICLE Filed Jan. '7, 1922 //Y may TOR 7201-145 HENRY PODDA BERT/E NQEMAN R0004 A TTOENE vs Patented Apr. 17, 1923.

UNITED STATES THOMAS HENRY RODDA, F JOSLIN, AND BER'IIE NORMAN RODDA, OF TORRENSVILLE,

v 1,452,441 PTEN'r OFFICE.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA.

' AUXILIARY SPRING, OR SHOCK ABSORBER FOB VEHICLES, PARTICULARLY MOTOR.

VEHICLES. h

Application filed January 7, 1922. Serial No. 527,731.

To all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that we, THOMAS HENRY Ronim and Bnn'rm NORMAN RonnA, subjects of the King of Great Britain and Ireland,

and residents, respectively, of. Fifth Avenue,

to Auxiliary Springs or Shock Absorbers for vVehicles, Particularly Motor Vehicles,

' of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in or relating to auxil ary springs or shock absorbers for vehicles particularly motor vehicles, and in particular to a shock,

absorber comprising two curved members arranged in V form with theirconvex faces opposed, the divergent ends of the curved members being adapted to be connected (in place of the usual shackles or links) between the adjacentlends of the members of automobile frame provided with.semi-ellipthe main spring, or between one end of the main spring and the adjacent. frame member,

so that as pressure is applied'the opposed faces of the curved members will gradually meet and stabilize the remainder of the diceptional obstruction or hollow, or when.

the vehicle rolls or swings when turning a corner. r

In order however that our invention may.

be clearly understood we will describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings in which- Fig. 1 is a slde elevation of part of an tic springs and showing our improved auxiliary springs-interposed between themain springs and the frame, but we wish it to be clearly understood .that'this is shown only; as one illustration of the way in which our.

improved auxiliary springs may be used.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing our improved auxiliary spring or shock ab-, sorber detached from the main spring. I

Fig. 3 is a central vertical longitudinal section of same. r 1 j The vehicle frame 2 and the main springs 3 may be of any preferred construction. In the type shown in Fig. 1 the frame is a well. known construction provided with. semielliptic springs. Each main spring 3 is connected at one end to the frame 2 by an ordinary device 4 while at the other end. our improved auxiliary spring 5 is interposed between the main spring and the frame;

The auxiliary spring .5 comprises two curved members 7 and 8 that diverge from the junction end, and each member comprises one or more leaves that are secured together at the junction end by the specially devised clamping plates 9, while at the other ends of the curved'members are slots 10 to take the bolts of brackets 11 whereby they are adjustably attached to the frame and to the main spring respectively.

7 At the junction end of the curved spring members the immediate end of each leaf is slightly bent. outward so that'the opposed innermost leaves contact with one another not at the immediate end but at a short distance therefrom. The convex faces of the spring members 7 and 8 are opposed so that when pressure is applied or a shock imparted to the spring the convex faces will gradually roll together and stiffen there- .mainder of the divergent parts.

The clamping plates 9, which are used in pairs one upon each side of the spring, fit against theedges of the spring members and are formed at the one end with an inwardly projecting socket with somewhat inwardly inclined or bevelled shoulders 12 adapted to engage the somewhat outwardly bent endsof the spring members 7 and 8 and with achole to take a bolt 13 which passes between the two innermost leaves of the spring members and holds the two clamping plates together, while at the other endwhich is ap; proximately midway along the spring they are held together by bolts 14 positioned against the outer faces of the spring menibersp These latter ends :of the clamping plates are preferably formed with shoulders 15 that fit over the outside edges of the spring members and against which the faces of such members normally abut, but the faces of the spring members may abut directly against the bolts 14 which hold the clamping plates together.

The shoulders 15 and the bolts 14 of the clamping plates 9 prevent the divergent spring members opening too wide when the weight is taken off the spring as for mstance when the vehicle passes over an exceptional obstruction or hollow or when turning a corner but the closing together of such members is not interfered with thereby.

By this construction we avoid any perforation'and consequent weakening of the spring'me'mbersboth at the junction end and at their central portion, andany number otleaves may be easily shaped and tempered separately and fitted together to "form a spring of any desired strength and qual ty. Infuse, when the wheels ot the vehlcle meet a'dep'ressi'on' or'an obstruction the shock will be partly absorbed by the main springs 3 and partly by the auxiliary springs 5', and as the auxiliary springs arebrought into operation the convex faces otthe members 7*an'd8 willgraduahy come together and so stilien the remainder otthe divergent portions, thereby ensuring that all severe jars and shocks wil'lbe absorbed or very greatly minimized. Immediately the de pression or obstruction has been passed and the'we'ight taken ofifthe spring there is a tendency torthe leaves to open or diverge to'toogreatan extent thereby throwing the body of the vehicle into the air. Such ex cessive opening however is prevented by the shoulders and bolts 14 of the clamping plates 9 which limit the opening or divergenoe ot'thespring members but in no way affect the closing of them together.

""Te wish'it to be understood that various modifications may be? made in the form and relative p roportions' of parts and other de tails" without departing from the principle of ourinvention as herein disclosed.

e are aware that it is a common practice, wherea spring is made up of several leaves, to attach to the end of one or more of the shorter leaves a clip which encircles the longer leaves at that point and prevents them spreading apart on the rebound. but to rivet clip to a leaf of a spring of the type covered by this application would wejaken'it too much. By our invention excessive rebound is prevented without the drilling of any'holes'in the central or other portion of the spring where such holes would be detrimental.

What we claim is- 1'. im roved auxiliary spring for vehicles comprising :two curved members arranged in V form with their convex faces opposed, clamping plates enclosing the adjacent ends of said spring members extending along the edge thereof, and means carried by the extended portions of the plates for engaging said springs at a point remote from said end to limit the opening movement of the spring members.

2. An improved auxiliary spring for vehicles comprising :-two curved members arranged in V form with their convex faces opposed and contacting at a point intermediate the ends thereot, whereby both ends of said springs diverge from said point of contact, clamping plates enclosing one end of the spring members and means extending between and engaging the diverging ends of the spring and functioning with the plates to clamp the spring rigidly at the junction end but permitting limited movement at the other end asand for the pnrpose specified. I

An improved auxiliary spring for vehicles comprising :two curved members arranged in V form with their convex faces opposed, each of said curved members being made up of one or'me're leaves having at their junction ends a slight outward turn, clamping plates and bolts whereby said spring members are clamped together, each of said clamping plates having'atthe one end a projecting socket with inwardly in clined shouldersto take the immediate ends of the spring members and a holeto take the bolt which holds them together and having at the other end shoulders a; enga e the edges of the spring members and holesto take the bolts which hold them 'tb ethi 1eiugstantially as and for the puppose e I r i v" i L In combination with aspring compris-, ing divergent members arranged in approximately V formation clamping plates a d apted to retain the junction ends of the members and to, engage such members medially of their length tolimitf their divergence and means. for" securing" said pie sition. i i r 5. The combination with a pair of curved spring members arranged with their conven faces opposed and contacting ata'point termediate the ends thereof; of a pair of clamping plates engaging the. edges of the springs, and enclosing one end thereof, said plates being provided with shoulders adapt ed to engage the springs at a point remote from the enclosed end whereby the opening movement of the opposite ends' is limited;

6. The combination with a a spring connected atone end thereof, of spring device interposed betWeenf'thep pQ site end and the frame, said device comprising a plurality of arcuate spring members arranged with their convex faces in opposition and contacting at a point intermediate the ends thereof, and a pair dffplates encles'f ing the acent ends offthe springs'iand gaging the springs at a. point remotefron said end to'limit the opening movement of In testimony that We claim the foregoing 7. A spring device comprising a plurality inthe presence of two subscribing Witnesses of arcuate spring members arranged with this 18th day of November, 1921.

their convex faces in opposed relation and THOMAS HENRY RODDA.

contactin at a point intermediate the ends thereof, a nd a clamp engaging the sides and BERTIE NORMAN RODDA' ends of said spring members and securing Witnesses: them together Without the passage of bolts ARTHUR GORE CoLn soN, therethrough. KATHLEEN MARY COLLISON;

the opposite ends. as our invention We have signed our names 

